Team GB's disappointing performance in judo at the European Games continued on Friday as Alice Schlesinger exited the -63kg competition in the second round.
After winning her opening bout against Anna Bernholm of Switzerland, the 27-year-old then lost to Portugal's Ana Cachola.
This year's European Games is doubling up as judo's European Championships, while ranking points for the Rio Olympics are also up for grabs.
Sports Mole sat down with Schlesinger after her last-16 defeat to get her take on things.
© Getty Images
Hi Alice. You were able to come through your first bout, but you were downed in the second. How do you think it all went for you out there today?
"Well, I'm quite disappointed but I think that this will be good preparation for the World Championships and I think that we'll do better there."
How do you rate your performance? Are there any positives to take?
"I don't think I was as fast as I normally am. I think that there's a lot to process and work on and then that will allow me to see what went wrong."
What were your expectations coming into the competition?
"Well, it's my first Europeans after being injured for two years. I obviously wanted a medal because I've medalled in the big tournaments this year, with this being the European Games I didn't really have that high expectations. I just wanted to come here and do my best."
Did the fact that this is also the European Championships change how you approached things?
"Yeah, I think there's obviously more pressure. You want to get a European medal, so it's definitely more pressure, but that's the whole game. Even with that pressure you want to do your best and succeed."
What's on the horizon for you now? Is your schedule pretty full?
"I have a few tournaments before the World Championships. I'll do the World Championships and then I'm not sure what's going on."
Finally, how have you found the whole Baku experience?
"I've really enjoyed it. Everything is great, the competition has been really well organised and it's been really good."
Jack Prescott
